And Simon Says…

As I wrote earlier I met with Mr. Simon, who owns a stunning collection of chess sets from around the world. These sets represent different cultures, some even from countries that no longer exist. Inspired by his collection, I planned to photograph the boards and pieces to create the 2025 chess calendars.

For a calendar, you need 13 photos: one for each month and one for the cover page. Initially, I thought it would be simple to choose the most beautiful sets for the project. Not at all! The variety and uniqueness of each set made it impossible to narrow them down to just one calendar. So, we decided to create two calendars: one traditional chess calendar featuring creative chess-themed photos, and another combining half-page photos with a chess puzzle for each month.

To ensure I had enough material, I dedicated an entire day to photographing the sets. I experimented with lighting, varied the background colors, and frequently swapped lenses to achieve a diverse range of shots. The goal was to capture images that would help create a vibrant and visually engaging collection.

After the first day of shooting, I spent several nights editing the photos. This involved not only selecting the best compositions but also enhancing key elements—such as improving contrast and highlighting intricate details. Finally, each photo needed a clear and concise description written in plain English, to be added to the final product.

Stay tuned—these calendars are shaping up to be truly special!